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By ERIC BOLIN Associated Press Writer
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- For the second time in this College World Series, a fan in the left-field stands had a hand in a play.
Oregon State's Chris Kunda hit a long line drive to left that was deflected by the glove of a shirtless, powder blue-haired Tar Heel fan in the third inning of North Carolina's 4-3 win Saturday night.
Tyson Cunningham of Syracuse, Utah, reached toward the wall with his mitt, knocking the apparent home run into the bleachers. Witnesses around him said he didn't he reach over the fence and that it should have been ruled a home run.
"It hit off my glove, and Casey ended up with it," Cunningham said.
UNC left fielder Jay Cox pointed to the seats and left-field umpire John Kleis signaled a double. Kunda eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Darwin Barney.
Casey Hill, an Oregon State fan from West Point, Utah, got the ball but the took the fall for Cunningham.
Hill was immediately escorted out of the bleachers and was about to be removed from the game by order of the NCAA. Security guard Chris Madden, who saw the play from from about six feet away, allowed Hill to stay.
"I told them it was a home run and he shouldn't have to go," Madden said. "And let him keep his ball too."
Madden said Cunningham leaned over the wall but didn't reach out for the ball.
Last Sunday, a fan in the stands drew attention when he appeared to reach over the wall in an attempt to catch a seventh-inning home run by Matt Wieters of Georgia Tech. The home run was allowed to stand and gave Tech a one-run lead over Cal State Fullerton. Fullerton won the game 7-5.
